New fixed blade design demonstrates synergy between two influential American knifemakers
The Case(R) Winkler Skinner is a new fixed blade knife crafted collectively by Case and Winkler Knives. The design is the result of a decades-long career in knife making by Master Bladesmith Daniel Winkler and the extensive experiences of retired U.S. Army Special Operator and Navy SEAL Kevin Holland. Case officially unveiled the new knife at BLADE Show 2017, which took place June 2-4 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, GA. Available handle styles include sculpted multi-camo G10, black canvas laminate and American black walnut.

The Case(R) Winkler Skinner is the first in a planned series of collaborations aimed at celebrating American heroes, an idea brought to life by Case’s historic military contributions and Winkler Knives’ ongoing involvement with U.S. Special Operations. The new knife is manufactured in Case’s modern production facility by an elite team of Case knife makers whose work is held to strict quality and performance standards equaling the reputation of Winkler Knives’ custom manufactured blades.

The Case(R) Winkler Skinner is a high-performance field knife that is lightweight, well balanced and built for dependability. The flat ground, distal tapered Trailing Point blade is made from tough 80CrV2 steel, known for its enduring lateral strength, superior edge retention and ease ofÂ sharpening. The full tang is skeletonized and tapered to reduce weight and improve balance. The knife is accompanied by a molded black leather sheath that’s specially reinforced to help keep its shape, ensuring a continually snug fit when not in use. A reversible belt attachment accommodates carrying the knife on either side of the body.

All of these premium features make the Case(R) Winkler Skinner the perfect ally to take on hiking, camping and hunting adventures, and a welcome addition to any military operator’s kit.

“At Case, we like to say that every knife tells a story, and this new collaboration will surely speak volumes,” remarked John Sullivan, Case's Director of Marketing. “By combining Daniel’s and Kevin’s expertise and personal experiences with Winkler Knives’ methods and our own Case technology, we've crafted a tough, utilitarian field knife that performs as well as a Winkler Knives II original and is suitable for use across many different environments.”

Daniel Winkler, with more than 30 years of experience to his credit, brings multiple disciplines to the Case(R) Winkler Skinner project – as a Master Bladesmith, respected metallurgist, blade geometrist and full-time knife maker who, through Winkler Knives, has served some of themost elite Special Operators across all branches of the U.S. military. “My introduction to Case knives came to me as a young boy in North Carolina, when my father gifted me the ‘Tested’ era Folding Hunter that was given to him by his grandfather – which I still own,” Winkler said. “I’m proud to be working with Case – a company who outfitted the First Special Service Force during World War II – andÂ my friend, Kevin Holland – to bring a knife of this caliber to those who still serve.”

As co-designer of the Case(R) Winkler Skinner, Kevin Holland brings decades of intense military expertise to this collaboration. A highly decorated veteran member of U.S. Special Operations, Hollandâ€™s vast knowledge of knife design, construction and tactical use hails from the many different situations and extreme environments in which he had to depend on knives to survive. Holland's real-world experiences helped craft the Case(R) Winkler Skinner into an optimal field knife as well as an essential accessory to Special Operators everywhere.

“As a veteran of U.S. Special Operations, I learned first-hand the importance of carrying the highest quality tools on assignment,” said Kevin Holland. “I’m proud to have been able to share my experiences to help create something that performs as well for outdoorspeople at home as it can for our Armed Forces around the world.”

The knife’s name, “Skinner”, reflects Holland’s years as a young hunter and trapper who relied on his Case Slimline Trapper to field dress small game and clean fish in the mountains of North Carolina. It is this story which inspired a Commanding Officer to assign “Skinner” as Hollandâ€™s nickname during SEAL Team selection, a title by which he answers to even today.

The Case(R) Winkler Skinner is 9.625 in (24.5 cm) in length; AKTI blade length is 5.125 in (13 cm) and is .1875 in (4.8 mm) wide. Weights vary by handle style (5.6 oz – 6.7 oz /158.8 g-186.7 g). The knife will be available starting lateÂ August (multi-camo G10 and black canvas laminate versionsÂ followed by American black walnut in September) from Case Authorized Dealers nationwide with MSRP’s ranging from $295 to $310. For additional information, please visit wrcase.com.

ABOUT DANIEL WINKLER AND WINKLER KNIVES

Daniel Winkler is an award-winning custom knife maker based in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. His early recognition came from hand-forging Early American-influenced knives and axes. The historical styling of his work led to Winkler being commissioned to create cutlery for principal characters in the award winning 1992 film, The Last of the Mohicans. In more recent years he has had the honor of working with members of elite units within the U.S. Military and Allied Forces around the world, a development which prompted the establishment of the Winkler Knives II product line that continues today.

ABOUT KEVIN HOLLAND
Kevin Holland is an American hero who has honorably served his country as an elite special operator across two different branches of the U.S. Military, completing more than 2,000 combat missions in multiple deployments across the globe. A North Carolina native, Holland has earned many awards and commendations for his leadership, bravery and valor. In more recent years, Holland has worked as an independent knife designer for Winkler Knives and consultant for other outdoor and military-related industries. He is currently employed as a business executive in the private sector.
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Bradford, PA – W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company is proud to announce the Case® BESH Wedge, a modern fixed blade that was designed by Brent Beshara and inspired by Case’s V-42 of World War II fame. The Case® BESH Wedge is suitable for members of law enforcement and security communities, those in active military service, as well as knife and militaria collectors.
The revolutionary Case® BESH Wedge blends modern technology with optimal performance and utility. Its unique blade design is composed of two diagonally-opposed bevels that converge to form a third cutting edge. This unique geometry provides a stronger point profile that overcomes tip weakness found in more conventional blade designs.
The Case® BESH Wedge showcases a 6-1/2 inch (16.5 cm), dual-edged fixed blade that’s made from Case Tru-Sharp™ surgical steel. The blade is BESH Wedge-ground and treated with a matte blast finish. The unique ‘thumb print’ impression at the blade’s ricasso is reminiscent of Case’s World War II-era V-42, which Beshara used as the inspiration for his modern design. The knife’s full tang construction and protective finger guard provide stability and control, while its distributed weight provides a comfortable, yet responsive feel.
The ergonomic handle with Earth Brown G-10 textured scales, along with aggressive notching around the handle’s edge, allow for a comfortable grip. Removable screws allow the user to replace the outfitted handle grips with a personalized paracord wrap. The knife’s design also integrates a flattened end pommel with a lanyard hole for convenient storage.
Overall, the Case® BESH Wedge measures 12 inches (30.5 cm) in length and weighs 6.5 oz (184.3 g).
The Case® BESH Wedge comes packaged with a tough, precision-molded sheath made by Blade-Tech™ and an integrated Tek-Lok™ attachment which allows for belt carrying at widths of up to one-quarter inch. The sheath and belt attachment add a combined 4.1 oz (116.2 g) to the complete knife package.

ABOUT BRENT BESHARA
Brent Beshara combines his experience as a member of the Canadian Special Forces with his aptitude for engineering to create revolutionary knives through better blade geometry. His designs and other related industry contributions have established him as a leader among knife makers, educators and self-defense specialists. Beshara is a former apprentice of Master Bladesmith Wally Hayes.

It is the Case V-42 Fighting Stiletto, manufactured by W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery in the early years of WWII and government issued to America’s "First Special Service Force” or the “FSSF.”

The enemy had a different moniker for these fierce fighters…the enemy referred to the FSSF as “The Black Devils.” Dropped in from silent gliders, behind enemy lines under cover of darkness with their faces painted black to blend in with the nighttime, the enemy never knew where the FSSF would appear. With their special tactics, and assignments, they were instrumental in helping to bring victory to the Allied Forces, each with their Case V-42 Stiletto by their side.

It makes us proud to be Americans when we think of the bravery and courage of these valiant patriots. And proud, too, to be able to offer to you this authentic reproduction Case Knife that is still “Made in America!”

The release of W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery’s reproduction of the V-42 Fighting Stilettos - made as closely as humanly possible to the original issue in 1942-will be later in 2015.

You can pre-order now so you won’t miss the inaugural release of this historic Case knife that carries so much history with it.

The FSSF was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in early February, 2015. FSSF member, Gene Gutierrez on the left, represents the U.S. in accepting this most deserved honor with FSSF member Charles Mann representing Canada on the right.

We always enjoy Tony’s insights and we thought y’all would, too!
In this short video clip, Rod Reid of Shepherd Hills introduces Tony Bose who takes a few minutes out at the recent Bose-Reid Tour in Eddyville, KY to chat on camera with our Founder and President, Ida Reid. Tony gives us a bit of background and his thoughts on the newest pattern release—the Teardrop—which was a project he collaborated on with W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery. You’ll also get a peek at the one-of-a-kind Pearl Bose-Reid Teardrop that was our Grand Prize at this event. Click on the image above to view the video.

Shepherd Hills began in 1972 when Ida Reid along with her husband, Rea; and sons, Rod and Randy decided to open a small gift shop as part of an already established motel, the Shepherd Hills Motel in Lebanon, MO. The location was well-known by the Reids as they had operated the Capri Motel in that very same spot during the 1960’s.

Sitting right along the famous Route 66 which became I-44 , the location made it easy to cater to tourists who were visiting the area or following the advice of the old jingle ♫“See the U.S.A. in a Chevrolet” ♫ ad campaign that had been popular as people began to explore the states by way of Route 66.

From the beginning, Shepherd Hills’ hallmark has been to provide high quality products with customer service that is unsurpassed. Genuinely treating customers with the respect they deserve and providing them with an opportunity to buy quality goods at reasonable prices prompted many travelers to stop in each time they came through the area. It wasn’t long before Shepherd Hills became a “must do” as folks planned their trips through the Ozarks.

Accenting the resources of the Ozarks area around Lebanon in the early days, Shepherd Hills became known for their “Walnut Bowls” (as Missouri has over 60% of all the walnut in the nation) and Frankoma pottery
(pottery made by the Frank family in Oklahoma). These were the main lines among other quality items offered by Shepherd Hills that would make a good memento of a trip through the Ozarks.

As time went on, Shepherd Hills added additional locations including those in Osage Beach, MO, Branson, MO, and Eddyville, KY , and brought in other quality products to the lineup including Chicago Cutlery, Denby Pottery, and of course Case XX pocketknives-- making the latter also available through catalog mail order and eventually on the web at www.casexx.com.

We have been representing Case XX since the early 90's, enjoying the adventure of having many Case XX knives made exclusively for Shepherd Hills, coming up with new designs i.e. “The Beast” our first multi-blade made by Case in 1996, “Big Chief”. “Big Nut”, “Jaguar” et al., and new handle materials including “Bubba Gum”, “Giraffe Bone”, “Mammoth Ivory”, “Lizardskin”, and “Indian Paintbrush” among others. And the saga continues today, with the adventure as real as ever---you gotta know we always have a few Case XX surprises in the works.

Lots of things have changed since 1972… but what hasn’t changed is Shepherd Hills’ commitment to quality and the “treat you how we would want to be treated” customer service.

That’s why we are very happy and proud to be associated with W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery---what we believe is the finest pocketknife you can buy---, working our way to the honor of the “World’s Largest Case XX Collectible Dealer” .

We want to thank you for helping us achieve that position and want you, our customer, to know that much of the satisfaction of being in this role is created by having the opportunity to work with the myriad of people we have met , either by phone, email or in person, that are Case knife enthusiasts or Case knife collectors.

We can say with confident assurance, cause we know first hand, Case knife enthusiasts truly are some of the nicest people in the world. We thank you for your patronage and your friendship.